Did you know that one of the fastest growing and most exciting cricket teams in the country are just down the road from Hertford? 

No?  Well Ware Cricket Club are doing just that!  Over the recent years, they have begun to bolster their reputation as one of the top teams in the Herts Saracens League.

Having doubled their member base in 2009, thanks to some tiresome work by existing members, and also thanks to a recent re-structured coaching scheme. Ware CC managed to provide competitive cricket to over 60 players last season from Hertford and the surrounding area.

The new coaching scheme has been in place for a couple of seasons now, and has already seen significant improvements in many of the club's players, most notably Darren Patel - who scooped last seasons division 6 bowler of the year! This is down to head coach Keith Piper and his team including an ex Warwickshire and England youth player, and also numerous other ex pros. I am told that Keith Piper who is one of the most decorated players in first class English cricket and ex England A team wicketkeeper, has literally transformed the way the team play cricket and adapt them to new training methods he implements at Warwickshire CC.

Chatting to a few of the guys connected with the club, there seems to be a real excitement in how things are headed. Promotion for both the 1st and 2nd teams seem to be a real possibility, and other developments on the horizon mean that Ware CC are a team who want to host cricket at the very highest level in the County.

One thing that stood out to me was the amazing infrastructure the club has behind the scenes. While this is key to any amature organisation, here it seems so professional. However the club still hold on to the family friendly atmosphere it has worked so hard to gain and maintain. With regular fun days held for kids, and a good support at home games commonplace.

Despite being called Ware CC, players from all over, including Hertford, London and even Sri Lanka are made to feel welcome, and with new players of all abilities turning up each week, it seemed natural to get a 3rd team in the mix! This, I am told will be used for the large number of under 16's present at the club to get a feel for cricket at the adult level. Also it will provide the less regular members of the club with an opportunity to have a game or two during the season.

The first fixture is quickly approaching with the 1st team taking on Hertford at Ware's home ground on 1st May. This promises to be a great match, and a good chance for Ware to showcase their newly acquired fire power. This is a great chance for the spectator to watch some true greats of the game play at one of the most picturesque grounds in the Country.

For more details about Ware CC please visit the local information tab on the site for contact details and email/website link.